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The Humiliation And Sufferings Of Christ

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” | Isaiah 53: 1-3

I saw where someone wrote recently, “there’s a lot more in the word of God, than Christ.” That is a sad and horrible statement.

If I tell you that I grew up in Deer Park Texas, my first car was a Plymouth Duster and I worked at Houston Independent School District, this is not a treatise on cities, cars or companies.

It is all about me.

The scriptures have some things to say about Heaven, Hell, Bethlehem and even heresy, but we need to understand that the word of God concerns His Son Jesus Christ, all Him, only Him, always Him.

Every other person, place, thing and subject are included, only as they relate to, reveal and glorify Him.

When it comes right down to it, He is all there is.

Anyone who does not, by God’s grace, know this, has no business saying or writing anything about God or His word.

If God will ever reveal anything to you, it will begin right there; Christ is all.

If God is ever going to use you for His glory, in His ministry, in any capacity, He will cause you to determine to know nothing, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

~ Pastor Chris Cunningham

Click here to listen to the message “Why Christ is Despised and Rejected” (36:13 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 27 May, 2021

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The Lamb Is Sufficient

“Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.” | Exodus 12: 3-4

Salvation is the most beautiful word that a lost condemned sinner could ever hear.

It includes all the blessings of grace, and all the blessings of glory.

It is the washing of our consciences from guilt, the redemption of our souls from the curse of the Law, the renewing of our heart by the Spirit of God, and the freedom of our spirits from the power and dominion of sin.

It is to be loved and chosen by God, justified in Christ, born again by the Holy Spirit, pardoned of all wrong doing, received into the family of God, accepted in the beloved.

It is to be an heir of God, joint heir with Christ.

If I am saved, I have all wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption in Christ.

~ Pastor Milton Howard

Click here to listen to the message “The Lamb is Sufficient” (32:08 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 24 May, 2021

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The Promises Of God

“For I am the Lord, I change not.” | Malachi 3: 6

God is unchangeable in His essence, nature, and perfections.

Isn’t it wonderful that in our experience in a life that is nothing but change, to know that the Lord changes not?

His purpose has never altered and never will.

This gives assurance and peace to all who have fled to Christ for refuge.

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “The Promises of God” (38:46 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 22 May, 2021

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Christ Receives Sinners

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” | Luke 15: 1-2

While the self-righteous Pharisees and Scribes withdrew from the Lord Jesus Christ and then harshly criticized Him, many publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 44)

What a blessing from the Lord to have a willingness to draw near to Him and then to have ears to actually hear a word from Him.

“Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Acts 10: 33)

His words are words of life.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5: 24)

His words are words of salvation.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4: 12)

The worst thing the Pharisees and scribes said of the Lord, “This man recieveth sinners, and eateth with them;” is the best thing any sinner could hear.

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10: 4)

It is not sin that keeps a man from hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ, it is his presumed righteousness he is going about to establish by his religious deeds.

“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

No man will ever come to Christ while he is resting in the deeds of the law for salvation.

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3: 19-20)

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2: 1)

It is only by the almighty power of His sovereign grace that will effectually quicken us and make us alive in Christ that will cause us to draw near to Him, to hear Him and to believe Him.

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (1 John 5: 1)

This Man receives sinners!

What a miracle of amazing grace.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “How Excellent Is Thy Name” (32:38 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 20 May, 2021

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Symptoms Of A Fatal Disease

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” | Psalm 39: 4

MOST fatal diseases do not show up immediately, nor do they kill someone overnight.

They generally begin little unsuspicious symptoms, such as a sniffle, a sore, a small lump or a brief pain.

Most times the person ignores these little symptoms until they become much worse and even others notice something wrong with them.

So it is most times with the fatal disease called Apostasy.

Apostasy is a fancy word for missing Christ, departing from the faith, leaving the gospel and leaving the church.

It most times begins with little symptoms, such as… no real desire to attend the worship services (but only do so to maintain appearances), no real fellowship with believers (quick to get in and out of services), avoidable absences from the worship service, little distractions at home, little temptations to work late, ‘little sins’ indulged (even enjoyed), the pull and call of the world, which, at one time was resisted, now quickly and easily answered.

The symptoms are many and varied, and if ignored, they eventually break out into glaring problems.

The person begins to be unsociable with God’s people, unreachable, not easily entreated.

They begin to resent and avoid the calls and concerns of their (supposed) brethren.

They begin to find fault with their ‘brethren’ and especially the preacher.

Until finally they see no need to gather with ‘those people’ anymore, or listen to ‘that fellow’ anymore.

Little do apostates realize, but THEY HAVE MISSED CHRIST, then they leave; “they went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be manifest (revealed, exposed to all) that they are not all of us.

Fact is, one who leaves never had life to begin with, never was born from above, never was quickened but was and is dead in trespasses and sins.

It is not too late if these words convict one’s conscience and prick one’s heart.

If the symptoms are recognized early it does not have to be fatal …hurtful and injurious, yes, but not fatal!

If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself and are concerned, perhaps the Great Physician is dealing with you.

The Lord will heal the backslidden in heart and readily receives every prodigal.

If left to our sinful selves we all would fall away.

It can happen to anyone.

Many have left and many more will do so, according to scripture.

But, by the grace of God, all who call on Him, come to Him, no matter how sinful, how fallen (or how many times), how wandering, how downcast and dirty, He mercifully receives and quickly and freely forgives.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Lord I’m so frail” (34:39 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 17 May, 2021

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This Man Recieveth Sinners, And Eateth With Them

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” | Luke 15: 1-2

While the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes withdrew from the Lord Jesus Christ and then harshly criticized Him, many publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him.

“Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Acts 10: 33)

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 44)

What a blessing from the Lord to have a willingness to draw near to Him and then to have ears to actually hear a word from Him.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5: 24)

His words are words of life.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4: 12)

His words are words of salvation.

The worst thing the Pharisees and scribes said of the Lord, “This man recieveth sinners, and eateth with them;” is the best thing any sinner could hear.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10: 1-4)

It is not sin that keeps a man from hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ, it is his presumed righteousness he is going about to establish by his religious deeds.

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3: 19-20)

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2: 1)

No man will ever come to Christ while he is resting in the deeds of the law for salvation.

“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (1 John 5: 1)

It is only by the almighty power of His sovereign grace that will effectually quicken us and make us alive in Christ that will cause us to draw near to Him, to hear Him and to believe Him.

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (2 Timothy 1: 9)

This Man receives sinners! What a miracle of amazing and sovereign grace.

-Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Some Believed and Some Believed Not” (37:01 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 15 May, 2021

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Christ The Lamb

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” | Genesis 22: 7

When the Gospel is preached, there is one thing that one will always hear… Christ the Lamb.

This is the acid test of a true God centered message.

Without a doubt, there are many things that may be preached which in themselves are good.

I don’t know many folks that are not against drugs, immorality, abortions, or any other such thing, but these things are not the issue.

The issue is the glory of Christ — His work, His holiness, and His satisfaction of the law.

When any man stands up to preach, let this test be set upon the words that you hear: “Where’s the Lamb?”

If I don’t hear Him, I haven’t heard the only message that the Holy Ghost will bless to the salvation of a sinner.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “How does a sinner approach God?” (30:50 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 13 May, 2021

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A Believer’s Peace

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. | Psalm 78: 3-5

Where does a believer find real and genuine peace?

On what foundation can we rest and say in truth, “It is well with my soul”?

I’ll tell you; it lies in this – that we are justified by faith and not by works.

Christ Jesus stood in my stead before God.

I was guilty with nothing to pay, doomed to hell; and Christ took my place!

He died for me!

How can I perish?

How can I be punished for sins which have already been laid on Christ and for which He has suffered?

God demands of me that I keep His holy law perfectly.

I cannot do it.

But Christ has kept it for me.

He kept it, magnified it, made it honorable in my flesh.

What more can God demand of me?

I am washed in the blood of Christ Jesus; I am risen and seated at His right hand in Christ Jesus.

You may ask, “How is all this yours?”

I reply, “By the grace of God, through the merits of Christ, revealed by the Spirit of God THROUGH FAITH!”

God said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”

I do believe, I sincerely believe in Christ; therefore, I have eternal life.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Every Need Met In Christ Jesus The Lord” (30:09 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 10 May, 2021

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The Façade Of Religion Covers The Smiling Face Of The Devil

“They That Observe Lying Vanities Forsake Their Own Mercy” | Jonah 2: 8

WHAT are the lying vanities of which the scripture speaks?

The wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, ALL is vanity.” (Proverbs 12: 8)

The flesh, the world and the devil promise many things, but are all liars!

Riches are deceitful¸ promising happiness and contentment, when in fact they gender the opposite.

The world talks of wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment, when in fact they lie about most things (not revealing the facts, bringing up false ‘witnesses’, manufacturing ‘findings’ and ‘sources’).

David said in his haste “All men are liars.”

God’s people are not liars, but the world is so full of them, that all seem to be so.

And David’s son said: “Money answereth all things” i.e. behind every lying scheme is the love of money.

The devil, who is the father of lies, perpetrated and is perpetuating all his lies in the name of truth.

Behind the façade of religion is the smiling face of the devil, who has his ministers of righteousness, who are all liars, evil men and seducers, waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

And money is behind it all.

For us to observe lying vanities, is to listen to the world and put stock in what it is saying.

It is to listen to the experts, the wise men and women of this world rather than God.

To observe lying vanities is to listen to and participate in the world’s religions.

To observe lying vanities is to walk with, talk with and commune with the liars of this world (evil communications corrupt good manners), for you cannot really believe anyone except a true believer, one who has the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them and leading them.

The natural man is out for himself, not truth, not the good of others.

To observe lying vanities is to think that anyone or anything in this world can be of some good to us.

Fact is, there is nothing truly good in this world except the things of God and the people of God.

God says of this world, “They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, NO, NOT ONE!” (Psalm 14: 3)

He said, “Love not the world, neither the things of this world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.”

He said, “They (false prophets) are of the world: therefore speak they of the world (health, wealth, material things) and the world heareth them.” (1 John 2: 15-16; 1 John 4: 5)

To forsake our own mercy is to absent ourselves from the preaching of God’s Word, which exposes all lies within us and without us, and reveals to us the vanities of this world.

The Word of God is His mercy to hell-deserving sinners.

It is our mercy to hear and heed it.

It is full of warnings, rebukes, reproofs and corrections to save us from perishing with this world . . . to save us from this untoward generation.

To observe the lying vanities of science, medicine, politics, which tell us to stay in the ‘safety’ of our homes and not gather with God’s people, is a terrible lie that robs us of mercy.

To observe the lying vanity that there is peace, happiness, and comfort in the home with our family, rather than worship with God’s family, is a terrible lie and deception; for all homes and families will soon be gone and only God’s house and family will remain.

“See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12: 25-29)

Yes . . . They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

To listen to, pursue and court the things of this world and the people of this world rather than God, the things of God, and the people of God . . . is to cut your own throat . . . it is to cut off your own life-line . . . it is to commit spiritual suicide.

Wherefore . . . “Flee Idolatry” . . . “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord” . . . “Come thou with us and we will do thee good” . . . “Desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby” . . . “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity.”

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Intercession For A Sinner” (30:04 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 7 May, 2021

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Let Us Come Boldly

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” | Isaiah 52: 7

Oh, how God’s people rest in His absolute sovereignty over all things concerning them.

That is their good news.

That is their peace.

That is their hope of salvation.

No matter how much their sin has abounded, it will never be able to reign over His mercy and grace that He has mightily supplied in the death of His Son!

Every soul that the Father sovereignly chose, the Son sovereignly redeemed, and the Spirit has sovereignly called will through the ages of eternity cry, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Let Us Come Boldly” (33:01 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 6 May, 2021